GDP：ADVANCE ESTIMATE OF 2012 Q1 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2012

According to the advance estimate by the DGBAS, Taiwan's real gross domestic products (GDP) increased by 0.36% in the first quarter of 2012. Meanwhile, the predicted GDP growth rate of 2012 is downwardly revised to 3.38%.

Advance Estimate of GDP in 2012 Q1

Over the past months, Taiwan's trade activities were suffered by the softened global demand. Associated with domestic sector, the advance estimate of real GDP grew by 0.36% in 2012 Q1, 0.83 percentage points below the former forecast. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (saar) of GDP is 1.06% in the same quarter.

Outlook for 2012

Although the thunderclouds won't disappear in the near future, the global economy is expected to expand gradually and the outlook of world trade might improve steadily in 2012. Thus, Taiwan's export is anticipated to have modest gain. Combining the mild domestic demand, real GDP growth is predicted to grow by 3.38% in 2012 (formerly 3.85%).